Four of Wands Wellness Collective: Self-Care and Community

Four of Wands Wellness Collective (349 Leonard Street) is a self-care studio in Williamsburg, where people can find different kinds of holistic treatments, classes, handmade gifts, and a community space. Owner and Licensed Massage Therapist Daru Oda wanted to create a space for doing “what makes you happy. We forget to do things that are fun or to expand our minds. At Four of Wands, we can take care of ourselves for an hour.”

Four of Wands interior

Oda wishes Four of Wands to be a “bridge between mainstream and alternative therapy.” Some of the older local residents have found the center to be especially helpful, even if they might usually prefer more traditional medicine. The space just opened in April, and is still growing quite a bit.

The name Four of Wands refers to the tarot card with the same name. When Oda did her own Tarot reading prior to opening the shop, this serendipitous card came up. Still, Oda insists the center is less of a mystical place, and more of an Eastern-Western mix. The initial idea for the space began as a place for Oda to host her massage practice, but it is so much more.

Four of Wands treatment room

There are two simple yet lovely treatment rooms. Therapists can use them for treatments such as massage, prenatal massage, acupuncture, reiki, even private yoga classes. Oda is open to connecting with new therapists and different types of treatment, and would love to expand the services and therapists that are connected with the center. If people aren’t sure what type of therapy or therapist is right for them, they can stop by the center, email, or call Oda to figure out what would work best for them.

A variety of different classes are offered. There are language classes (right now, just Japanese, but hopefully French will also be offered soon), childbirth education, new moms groups, Ayurveda and stress management, nutrition, probiotics, meditation, and Four of Wands will add more interesting classes as time goes on. Oda mentioned plans to hopefully have a painting class, and other workshops designed to give parents a bit of space and self-care to get away from it all.

There’s also a little shop in front selling lovely local items related to the classes they are currently hosting. The area behind the small shop and reception serves as a community space. Classes and impromptu meetings are held there, and Four of Wands is helping to create a community in this space. They want to keep growing, to help the neighborhood, connect the community, and create a space for wellness in North Brooklyn.

Want to learn more? Check out their website, their frequently updated Instagram and Facebook pages, or stop by 349 Leonard Street Monday, Tuesday or Friday between 12pm and 6pm.

About Cherie Y

Cherie Yanek moved to Greenpoint in 2000, and left for a two year hiatus to get her MFA at Naropa in landlocked Boulder. She is a writer, librarian, and ultramarathoner, and is the race director of the Burning Man Ultramarathon. For more about her running, writing, and musings, visit www.worldofcherie.blogspot.com